Decorative Systems for Architecture: custom-made works of art

This room doesn’t just have walls; it features custom decorative coatings. Surfaces that become communicative, allowing the intrinsic emotions of the material to be felt both visually and through touch-fragments, traces that stand as silent witnesses of a past to be protected. Decorative systems and architecture come together to shape artistic elements of great value.

As part of the renovation of a prestigious residence near Rome’s Fori Imperiali, Krei collaborated as a partner with architect Mario Mallucci, creating bespoke wall decorations: ancient plant fossils embedded in the decorative wall elements, as if transported through time onto the surface, blending the natural with the artificial.

The majestic Patagonia granite table by Antolini, produced and finished by Fratelli Marmo, enhances the space thanks to its striking tones. KT 023 is a unique piece of furniture, born from the collaboration between Krei, Progetto Nudo, and Francesco Pogliaghi. An extraordinary object, featuring experimental techniques and hand finishes that highlight materials of exceptional beauty and ancient heritage, blending craftsmanship with technology.

A designer table with a top that enhances the allure of textured surfaces: a slab of Patagonia marble, carefully selected from multiple blocks, creates a captivating interplay of light between the natural marble sections and the shine of the quartzite – resulting in a stunning effect.

The legs are made of iron through a cold-casting process with micronized brass grit, applied freehand.

Traces of Ancient Rome on the Walls

“Rome is not a city like any other. It’s a vast museum, a grand living room to be crossed on tiptoe.”
The great beauty of Rome, its charm, its history spread across monuments, historic and noble palaces, and mazes of streets and alleys lined with period buildings, are the inspiration behind the unique wall decorations, designed and custom-made.
The prestigious residence is located in the area of the Fori Imperiali, a one-of-a-kind architectural complex in the world, consisting of monumental buildings and squares – the cradle of political activity in ancient Rome – constructed over 150 years, between 46 B.C. and 113 A.D.
The decorative system created delves into the layers of history, bringing traces of the past to light. Echoes of the luxury of Roman domus, where frescoed wall decorations were particularly prevalent, are reinterpreted here to craft a tactile and perceptual narrative.

Leaves Imprinted on Walls with Special Techniques

The wall resembles a personal museum, capable of conveying the most authentic essence of the space and its inhabitants. Textures that connect material to man, unique works that honour the past and become a precious legacy for the future.

An ongoing exploration of materials and techniques opens the door to unique combinations of colours and textures, creating captivating perspectives and blending art seamlessly into everyday spaces. Each decorative piece is custom-made, tailored to fit perfectly with the surfaces it enhances.

Decorative Wall Systems

In this context, for a home or commercial space restyling project, the careful research and selection of decorative materials and refined finishes become crucial. The goal is to elevate the walls, transforming them from ordinary to extraordinary, and highlighting the space’s unique character.

Krei, as a partner to architecture firms, collaborates on interior renovation projects, coordinating the development of customized solutions from the initial concept to the final realization.

There are various wall coverings used primarily for aesthetic purposes, designed to characterize spaces and create unique atmospheres. These are selected not just to complement the style of the furniture and match the flooring, but also to create the desired atmosphere. Wall coverings in the home are not just an alternative to simple paint; they are a decorative technique that can truly make a difference by giving character to a space and transforming its aesthetic impact. For this specific decorative wall covering project, the historical character of the building was taken into account, requiring an iconographic research phase before the creative concept. Samples were created based on the colour criteria provided by the architecture firm in collaboration with the client.

Decorative Systems: What we can do

A team of artisans whose expertise brings decorative surfaces to life, blending and working with both organic and synthetic materials in a unique way.

Fil posé: the Fabric Effect on Walls

Fil Posé is a decorative technique that covers surfaces with a unique fabric-like effect: an innovative process that recreates the look of textile coverings, from the most classic to the most modern styles. Fil Posé is a decorative coating that starts with a white base, which can be enhanced with a variety of finishing paints. The unique effect, created with a special striped stamp, can be applied with either horizontal or vertical patterns. The result is a striking decorative surface, with a texture that works even on slightly uneven walls. It is highly durable, washable, and can be fully customized in terms of shapes and colours. The elegant textile pattern created by Fil Posé can be enhanced with a variety of iridescent decorative paints, adding precious mother-of-pearl effects. Its texture appears as a luminous weave that reflects light and colour. The metallic and pearlescent effect is particularly suited for contemporary architectural spaces: luxury restaurants, trendy bars, sophisticated interiors, and design hotels.

Precious metals: Gold Leaf

Gilding is an ornamental decorating technique used to enhance objects and surfaces of all shapes and materials with a thin layer of metallic foil, known as gold leaf. This allows surfaces to be gilded, capturing the brilliant shine of precious metals as well as the aged patina of time. Along with Gold, effects in Silver, Bronze, Copper, and Platinum can be used, offering the possibility to create a variety of unique shades and lighting effects. Gold Leaf can be applied to walls, canvas, wooden panels or other materials, as well as furniture and accessories, both in traditional and more unconventional ways. It can cover entire surfaces, enhance specific details, or be used to create intricate designs. An important final step is the application of a protective varnish, making the piece resistant and washable. The use of gold leaf adds an elegant, refined touch to both objects and walls in the home, giving them a striking brilliance.

Bas-reliefs and High-reliefs

Bas-reliefs for walls, a form of raised decoration, have become a popular feature in interior design, embraced in various styles such as Gothic, Baroque, and Art Nouveau. Bas-relief is often referred to as molding or decorative plaster. Its complexity varies depending on the materials used: the most intricate is stone bas-relief, which demands the highest level of skill and expertise from the sculptor. High-relief, on the other hand, is characterized by protruding significantly from its background, creating the height and volume of the composition.

Krei: solutions and services for architecture

KREI is the ideal partner for architectural firms and designers, offering customized solutions and services. From researching and selecting the most suitable materials to final installation with the assistance of specialized technical staff. It can provide comprehensive support throughout the entire design process, overseeing each phase: from qualified technical consulting with on-site measurements, the production of detailed technical drawings and customized material samples, to the complete execution, including the final installation of marble, handmade terracotta, and continuous surface finishes.

Text: Silvia Cutuli